A Midsummer Night's Dream [Mass Market Paperback]

The whimsical insouciance of the young Lysander, Hermia, Helena, and Demetrius emanates in stark contrast to the more mundane, if not rigid, love of Theseus and Hippolyta. This inevitably provokes thought on the very underpinnings of love. Also, another impending paradox of sorts presents itself with the love of the two young couples. While Lysander and Hermia enjoy a jovial and reciprocal brand of love, conversely Helena and Demetrius enjoy, courtesy of one of Shakespeare's most famous characters, Robin Goodfellow(aka Puck), a forced, yet unwitting, brand of love. The two couples' love, while diametrically opposite, nevertheless results in the same ineluctable and identical outcome -- marriage. While true love may indeed be blind as in the former case, Shakespeare, however, also makes a case that some love is perhaps forced, if not arbitrary, as well -- as in the case of Demetrius and Helena. As the two couple leave the fairies, the wildwoods, and the forest, a place that represents a world of infinite freedom, chaos, and with them lessened inhibitions, the lovers end the story by arriving at the Athenian Court, a place that represents a return to decorum, refinement, and quite possibly, confinement.

"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" - Puck

The characters include:

The Fairies - Oberon, Titania, Puck, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed

The Athenians - Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, Philostrate, Lysander, Demetrius, Helena, and Hermia

The Actors/Common Men - Nick Bottom, Peter Quince, Tom Snout, Francis Flute, Robin Starveling, and Snug

This is a play in five acts, with many dynamic characters and various different story lines - there is even a play within the play. This might sound confusing, but Shakespeare masterfully ties it all together through a key event introduced in the beginning of the play, which is followed through at the end. This event is the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Basically, four headstong teenagers (Lysander, Demetrius, Helena, and Hermia) become entangled in a love triangle of sorts - a triangle that is made even more complex by the meddlings of the fairies. Pure confusion results, which accounts for most of the comedic interest of the play. Through the four lover's story we slip in and out of the dream-like fairy world.

An argument between the King and Queen of the fairies (Oberon and Titania) creates another story line that is also intertwined with the actors/common men.(in particular, Nick Bottom)

Standing on the outskirts of all this confusion is the knowledge that Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding is about to take place, giving a time frame, structure, and "method" to Shakespeare's "madness". As I stated before, it also ties the whole play together.

While it might sound confusing, once read, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a marvelous work to comprehend. There are so many different connections and interpretations to be made about it. I feel that this factor, coupled with the pure fun and fantasy
of the play, makes it a very worthwhile read.